The Shop Girls of Lark Lane

by Pam Howes

  Granny Lomax pursed her lips and nodded slowly, a smug look on her face. ‘Ah, I see it all clearly now. Jack wants your money so he can take over the running of the club. I always knew he had his eyes on you, Alice. I think he deliberately got rid of my Terry so he could also get his hands on you. The thought of my little granddaughter living under the same roof as the man who was responsible for the death of her father makes me feel sick to my stomach. I wouldn’t trust him as far as I could throw him. I’ve heard bad things about him. I’ve kept my mouth shut as I try hard not to fall out with you. You always seem to think the sun shines out of his backside. But I know better. I’ve heard that he mistreats women when he’s had a few too many. Well, he’d better not lay a finger on my Cathy or he’ll have me to answer to. I think you’re being very foolish, and if it’s money for Brian’s education you want then I could help a bit with that and you could work full time at Lewis’s to earn more. I can look after Cathy for longer than I do. We’d manage between us. You don’t need to sell your house or marry the man who killed my son.’

  ‘No, you’re right, I don’t,’ Alice protested. ‘But I want to marry him, and I will do. I’m not falling out with you over this. It’s my life, mine and the kids’, and I’ll do the best I can for them both. And how dare you imply that Jack got rid of Terry deliberately? That’s slander, and you’ve no right to say anything like that. If Jack heard you he wouldn’t be very happy. The police proved the bike was roadworthy, you know they did. And Jack doesn’t mistreat women either. There were rumours years ago but they were always unfounded. Jack has never given me any reason not to trust him. I’m going now because nothing I say will be right. I’m making sacrifices for the children. I loved Terry but he’s not coming back and I can’t afford to keep both kids for the next umpteen years on fresh air, no matter how many hours I work. We’ll have a bigger home, a business and enough money for a much better way of life. Why would you want me to deny them all of that? You either accept that Jack is in our lives to stay or you don’t. It’s up to you.’

  Alice left the room to call Cathy and Debbie inside. She went back into the lounge, where Granny was still sitting tight-lipped and white-faced.

  ‘I’ll see you tomorrow,’ Alice said as the little girls came running indoors. ‘Say goodbye to Granny, Cathy. We need to take Debbie home now.’

  Granny gave Cathy a kiss and a hug. ‘I’ll still help you with Cathy,’ she directed at Alice, ‘but I want nothing to do with that man whatsoever. He’s not, and never will be, welcome in my home.’

  ‘Fair enough, it’s your choice,’ Alice said over her shoulder as she followed the girls down the hall. She knew for a fact that Jack wouldn’t care less about that. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow,’ she repeated. ‘Oh hang on, no I won’t. I’ll pick Cathy up myself as I’m finishing early. I’ve got the estate agent coming at two. We’ll see you on Wednesday.’ And with that, she left the house, the girls happily chattering away to each other.

  12

  On Tuesday afternoon Alice dashed home from work and tidied up the bedrooms the best she could. They really were struggling for space, with Cathy’s toys piled on the end of her bed and in every corner of her tiny room, and Brian’s books all over his bedroom floor. He could do with a desk for his studies and a small bookcase. She’d be able to buy him both of those things when they moved. She couldn’t wait to make the flat above the Legion into a lovely, comfortable home for them all. A little thrill of happiness ran through her as she thought about the future.

  Downstairs she plumped up the red cushions on the front room sofa and chairs and straightened the half-moon hearth rug. If Millie didn’t want the house she’d have to ask the agent to sell it for her, so the nicer it looked today the better. When Jack had called round last night she’d told him about the argument with Granny Lomax and he’d told her he’d fully expected her to kick off, and not to worry. She’d either come around to the idea or she wouldn’t. But he said he wasn’t going to kowtow to the woman. She could like it or lump it as far as he was concerned.

  He was calling in again later on his way to his evening shift at the Legion so Alice could let him know how she’d gone on with the agent. He’d told her not to let on to Mr Shaw that she might be selling it privately, in case he refused to tell her what it was worth as he wouldn’t be getting any money out of it. She took a final look around the two downstairs rooms and dashed into the kitchen to put away the breakfast pots that were stacked on the draining board. She opened the back door to let some air in and, satisfied that everywhere looked the best it could, she went to stand by the front room window to keep an eye out for Mr Shaw’s arrival. On the dot of two o’clock the doorknocker sounded and she rushed to answer it.

  ‘Please come in.’ Alice ushered the portly little man into the front room.

  He removed his trilby hat and smiled. ‘Good afternoon, Mrs Lomax. May I?’ He indicated the coffee table to put his briefcase on and Alice nodded. He removed a notebook, pen and metal tape measure and asked her to show him around.

  He followed Alice, nodding, measuring and taking notes. Upstairs he smiled and indicated the two windows in the large front bedroom.

  ‘These properties are ideal for partitioning off into two smaller rooms at the front,’ he said, making a note in his book. ‘Very popular with larger families. The parents can then take the middle room.’

  ‘Oh, we never thought of that,’ Alice said. ‘I lost my husband last year and we were always saying we need another room as my daughter’s room at the back is quite tiny. But that’s an idea that never crossed our minds.’

  She finished showing him around and then took him outside into the small back garden that Brian looked after. Thankfully it was tidy and her dad’s old bench still sat near the wall, with a small apple tree overhanging it.

  ‘A nice shady place to sit with a cuppa when it’s sunny,’ she said, pointing. ‘My dad made that bench out of bits of old wood many years ago. I’ll be taking it with me though. It’s special.’

  ‘Where are you moving to?’ Mr Shaw asked, as he scribbled into his notebook.

  ‘I’m getting remarried,’ she replied. ‘My new husband and I are taking on the Legion club and we will live in the flat above it.’

  ‘Very nice.’ He nodded and followed her back inside. ‘Well, it’s all in very good shape, clean and freshly decorated in the main. A good-sized family home. I would say it would fetch in the region of eight hundred and fifty pounds.’

  Alice nodded. That amount of money would do them very nicely. There would be something left over after paying the brewery the cost of the bond, enough to buy a bit of furniture at least, and do a few jobs around the Legion that Jack wanted to do. Brian’s share would cover the next few years until he was able to start work in his chosen career.

  ‘Lark Lane is a good area and anything in the streets just off it always sells well,’ Mr Shaw continued. ‘We didn’t get too much war damage in these parts, apart from the Princess laundry of course, and we’re close to Sefton Park and nice schools. All important factors to consider when thinking of buying a house. I’ll draft up a letter and get my secretary to type it and pop it through your letterbox tomorrow. Let me know as soon as possible if you decide to go ahead. I have landlords on my books that are always looking out for houses in this area so I’m sure we can find you a buyer very quickly. I’ll leave you in peace to think about it and discuss it with your future husband.’

  ‘Thank you, Mr Shaw,’ Alice said, showing him to the door. ‘I’ll be in touch.’

  As she was waving him off Millie’s mam came hurrying towards her, red-faced and out of breath as she reached Alice’s door.

  ‘Come in, Mrs Markham,’ she invited and showed Millie’s mam into the front room. ‘Would you like a cuppa? I was just thinking of making one before I leave to pick Cathy up at half three. We’ve plenty of time.’

  ‘I’d love one, chuck. Oh, Alice, I’m that excited,’ she said, following Alice through to the kitc
hen.

  Alice laughed and filled the kettle. ‘I bet you are. Congratulations on your expected grandchild.’

  ‘Thank you. Well,’ Mrs Markham took a deep breath. ‘I’ve just had our Millie on the phone and she’s all of a dither. She got your letter this morning and her and Jimmy are over the moon and want your house. They’re driving over tomorrow and will pop in after tea when you’re home from work to talk about it with you. She told me to come round right away and tell you in case that estate agent bloke persuades you to let him sell it for you.’

  Alice flung her arms around Millie’s mam. ‘Oh, I am so happy. Everything is just falling into place for us all.’

  ‘It is. And our Millie said that when she’s had the baby she’ll go back to work and leave it with me. I can’t wait to look after it. She also said she’d like to work at Lewis’s with you and Sadie. Now wouldn’t that be lovely? All three of you, working as shop girls together.’

  ‘Oh, it would. It’ll be just like old times. And hopefully we can get into the cosmetics department, Millie always wanted a job in there, she’d love it and so would I.’

  Alice brewed a pot of tea and carried two mugs through to the front room. ‘Have a seat and get your breath back. All this excitement is making us giddy.’ She couldn’t wait to tell Jack later. He’d be over the moon.

  ‘And what about you, chuck?’ Mrs Markham said. ‘Getting remarried, eh? How do you feel about that?’

  ‘Happy,’ Alice replied. ‘Quite excited. Can’t believe it’s happening. I’m a bit nervous of course, it’s a big step to take, but I’m sure it will all be fine. And we’ve the Legion to run between us so we’ll be really busy. And I like that thought.’

  She wanted and needed to keep busy, because it stopped her dwelling on how things might have worked out with Terry. She would always love him, but she had to do what she could, for her own happiness and that of her family.

  ‘Our Millie is really thrilled for you about it all. She said she’d like to sing there again if Jack ever wants her to.’

  ‘Oh, he definitely will. Jack thinks the world of Millie and her wonderful voice.’

  ‘Well, I’m very happy for all of you. Here’s to a rosy future. Cheers, my love.’ Millie’s mam raised her mug to Alice’s and smiled.

  * * *

  Alice met Cathy from school and then hurried her home before she could kick up a fuss at not being allowed to go to Debbie’s to play. Alice had warned Debbie’s mother that she had to take Cathy straight home after school as she needed to talk to her privately. She’d popped into the bakery on the way to school and bought a small sponge cake. Back at home, she ordered Cathy to get changed out of her school clothes and made herself a brew. She poured a glass of milk for Cathy and sliced the cake, then sat at the table and waited for her daughter to join her.

  Cathy bounced downstairs and smiled at the sight of the cake. She sat down opposite Alice and took a swig of milk, a white moustache forming on her top lip.

  Alice took a deep breath and began. ‘We are going to move out of this house soon and go to live somewhere much bigger.’

  Cathy’s eyes grew round. ‘To a palace, like the King?’

  Alice tried not to smile. ‘No, love, not a palace. But you’ll have a much bigger bedroom and there might even be space in it for a dolly’s house. Remember how you said you’d like one, but we have no room for it here?’

  Cathy nodded, her mouth full of cake.

  ‘And something else nice is going to happen too. Mammy is going to get married again, to my friend Jack. Maybe you could be a bridesmaid. Would you like that?’

  Cathy shook her head and her lower lip trembled. ‘Jack’s a bad man.’

  Alice’s jaw dropped. ‘Jack’s not a bad man. He’s a very good man. Who told you he’s a bad man?’

  ‘Granny doesn’t like Jack. She said he hurt my daddy.’ Fat tears rolled down Cathy’s cheeks as Alice stared at her.

  ‘When did Granny say that to you?’

  ‘She didn’t,’ Cathy sobbed. ‘She said it to you ages ago.’

  ‘Oh, sweetheart, Granny didn’t mean it. She was upset about Daddy and I’m sorry, I didn’t know you’d heard her saying that. You should have told me.’

  Cathy shook her head. ‘I don’t like him.’

  Alice sighed inwardly. ‘Cathy, listen to me. Jack did not hurt Daddy. Daddy hurt himself by going off on that silly motorbike. Jack is a good man and he will look after us all. We’ll have a nice home and there’s a big garden to play in too. We’ll all be very happy together. Brian is happy for us and he wants to move so he can stay on at school. It’s very important that we all do this, okay?’

  Cathy nodded, looking uncertain, but Alice breathed a sigh of relief and hoped that would be the end of the matter. She cut another slice of cake and gave it to Cathy.

  * * *

  Late Wednesday afternoon Jack knocked on the door and waited for someone to answer it. He didn’t like to walk straight in, on the off-chance Terry’s ma was lurking. Although from what Alice had told him yesterday, it was unlikely, but even so. Alice needed the old bag’s help with Cathy while she worked, so he didn’t want to upset the apple cart by offending her with his thoughts if she had a go at him, as he was certain she would do, given half a chance. That could wait. He’d bide his time.

  ‘Come in, Jack, it’s not locked,’ Alice called from somewhere at the back of the house.

  He walked in and she hurried to meet him. ‘Sorry, I was just bringing the washing in off the line.’ She reached up to kiss him and he grabbed hold of her and pulled her close. His lips came down on hers, hard and demanding, and she melted into him.

  He held her tight. ‘I can’t wait to be married to you, gel,’ he whispered into her hair.

  ‘Nor I,’ she whispered back. She chewed her lip and looked down.

  ‘What’s up?’ He lifted her chin with a fingertip, hoping she wasn’t having second thoughts about selling the house.

  She took a deep breath. ‘Brian’s just told me he’s going away at the weekend with his mate and his mate’s parents on a camping trip. I’m going to ask Granny if Cathy can stay over while I work and then I’ll pick her up on Sunday morning.’

  He raised an eyebrow. ‘I know what you’re gonna suggest, gel. But are you sure?’

  Alice nodded. ‘You’ll be walking me home anyway, so you might as well stay with me. No one needs to know.’

  ‘Then I will. And I’ll sneak out before the street wakes up. Keep your reputation intact.’ He kissed her again and gently slapped her backside. ‘Now go and put that kettle on. A man could die of thirst waiting for you to brew up.’

  She laughed and led him into the back room. ‘Sit down while I do it then. I’ve made lamb scouse for tea. I know you like it.’

  He nodded. ‘I do, and it smells really good.’ Alice had invited him for tea tonight, and after she’d put Cathy to bed, Millie and Jimmy were coming over and they were all going to talk business. Jack had managed to get the night off, explaining to Arnold why. His boss had been happy enough to oblige. Jack had assured him that things were moving forward and that Alice hopefully now had a buyer for her house.

  All was well with the world at the moment and life was about to get a whole lot better. Jack was feeling quite contented with his lot and now that Alice had asked him to spend Saturday night with her he could make her his at last. A regular woman in his bed was something he hadn’t had for a long time and he couldn’t wait. He was sick of one-night stands and fickle women who always wanted more than he could give them and had nothing to give him back in return, except mither. It was time to put some roots down.

  * * *

  Alice dished up the meal and sat down at the table. ‘Get stuck in. Oh, Brian, bring the bread through, love, I’ve forgotten it. Cathy, stop fidgeting and sit still.’

  She’d seen Jack staring at her daughter, who was glaring at him and now complaining that she didn’t like scouse and wanted a chucky egg. He didn’t loo
k too happy.

  ‘You do like scouse, so get it eaten or you can go to bed without,’ Alice warned.

  Cathy glared at her mother and kicked the table leg. ‘I don’t like it. And I don’t like him!’ She pointed at Jack, who looked at Alice and raised his eyebrows.

  ‘Right.’ Alice dragged her daughter from the chair, slapped her legs and marched her into the front room. She sat her on the chair under the window, where Cathy stared sullenly, her arms folded. ‘Now stay there, until you are prepared to say you’re sorry to Jack. That was very naughty of you and I won’t have it.’ She slammed the door closed and went into the back room. ‘I’m so sorry, Jack. I don’t know what’s got into her. It was very rude of her to speak to you like that. Little madam.’

  Brian looked up from his already empty plate. ‘Can I have hers if she doesn’t want it? Shame to let it go to waste.’

  Alice sighed and sat down next to Jack. ‘You might as well, Brian. I’ll make her an egg later.’

  ‘My ma would have made me go to bed with nothing if I’d behaved in that way and my dad would have taken his belt to me,’ Jack said, wiping around his plate with a chunk of crusty bread. ‘That was delicious, Alice. Thank you.’

  Alice half-smiled. Maybe she had spoiled Cathy, overcompensating for Terry not being around. And Granny had always given in to her every whim. But being rude to a guest was unacceptable. Jack wasn’t that keen on kids to start with. She didn’t want to put him off and have him changing his mind at this stage; Cathy would just need to learn to do as she was told.

  ‘Would you like seconds? There’s a bit left in the pan.’

  ‘I would, gel. But I’ll get it; you stay there and eat yours before it goes cold.’

  ‘Just put a light under it for a few minutes,’ Alice instructed as Jack left the table. She didn’t feel like eating now. The mood of the evening had been spoiled. Brian was eyeing up the remains of her meal and she pushed her plate towards him. ‘I can’t believe she did that.’